Bubble Aglae take over

[Texas Aggie 06]

It started off as a small problem that came on the liverock when I purchased it, but throughout the year it has only gotten worse. I do have an emerald crab, that I see picking at the rocks, but never particularly at tht bubble algae. So, I bought another one, but haven't seen him other than a couple times, so don't know if he's doing anything or not. Anyway, it has really become a problem and I NEED HELP! It's even growing on the Tunze streams...that can't be good.

Specs:
175 gallon, 30 gallon sump with cheato, ASM G3 skimmer, Sequence dart return, 2 tunze streams, 3 250w 15K MHs with actinics.....don't know if I missed anything

Salinity: 1.024
pH: 8.15
nitrates: 0
Nitirites: 0
Ammonia: 0


Thanks guys!

 

[Samala]

I'm curious, do you have any herbivorous fish in the 175? Any rabbits, tangs or others? The addition of one greens lover might help to keep the problem in check. However.. I would have expected the crabs to do that job themselves. Perhaps they are finding other algae that they prefer over the Valonia/Ventricaria bubble algae and aren't attacking your invasion.

>Sarah

 

[Texas Aggie 06]

I have 2 tangs: Purple tang, and Kole tang. They are both work horses but they don't touch the bubble algae.

 

[graveyardworm]

Foxface rabbitfish will eat it, but much like the emeralds they are hit or miss. Bubble algae is very tough skinned and can be very firmly attached to whatever its growing on. Making it a less than desireable algae for most grazers. I have had it bad and so far the best control is manual removal. Be careful and try not to pop the bubbles, this a difficult thing to accomplish so I usually also use a siphon hose at the same time to suck out juices of any that get popped. Be persistant and you may get the upper hand eventually.

 

[Texas Aggie 06]

Really?? The tank is pretty deep and I have a very difficult reaching anything without taking a bath in the tank! I will start trying to get everything I can, but sure wish there was another solution. Do you think emrald crabs will fight if you put more than one in the tank? I am beginning to wonder if maybe the bigger crab is bullying the smaller one and that is why I never see it.

 

[T Man]

I'm not sure how to ask this question, so here it is. Are you positive that it is Valonia? The reason I ask is, I have never seen Valonia over take an entire tank. I've seen them get as big as golf balls or bigger. I have four of them in my tank right now that are grape sized and directly behind the rockwork on the bottom, of course.
Do you have any photographs? From your description it's sounds like cyano- bac.. It can be described as having "bubbles" in it. I am not afraid to be wrong about any of this, and if I am incorrect...........please accept my heart felt apology. Tinman

 

[PatMayo]

I have 2 emerald crabs in my tank and they have not touched the bubble algae in my tank. It's very hard to find anything to eat them. Manual removel is the best. Get some real long gloves and put some towels on the floor.

Regards,

Pat

 

[graveyardworm]

I have Valonia and if left unchecked it will cover my rocks completely. It will also grow on powerheads, clog intakes and clog overflows.

How deep is the tank its in? I have it in my 90 which is 24" deep. I have a pair of tweezers which are 12" long so I dont have to reach in quite so far.

 

[Texas Aggie 06]

Yes, I am sure it is Valonia. Some of the bubbles are big, but there are also LOTS of small ones that seem to engulf a small area...but its not taking over rocks at a time. Just several different spots. I have been trying to get to everything I can reach, but sometimes I pop a couple trying to get a group off, so I am hesitant to try with tweezers.

 

[T Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8116450#post8116450 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Texas Aggie 06
Yes, I am sure it is Valonia.

I hope you accept my apology TexasAggie. I have those "grape sized" pieces in my tank that I can't get to either. It was suggested above to use a siphon along with the removal, I'm going to get a big enough hose to maybe suck the whole thing in at one time, Ill let you know how it goes. And once again, I hope you accept my apology. Tinman

 

[Texas Aggie 06]

Of course! You are just trying to help and everyone always appreciates as many ideas as possible!

 

[honeybee]

Since I had a bad experience with Dictyota I have found that removing all the visible blue light from my VHO mix and running 25% white actinic has greatly slowed the growth this brown algae. The drastic method I used to remove most of the Dictyota took all the other algae including the bubble. Only Neomeris is slowly returning to some of my live rock.

Honeybee

 

[worlds under]

something new I found out about Valonia. if you take a pic of it. It has a 6 ray reflection of light like an opel.

yea you probably don't care
sorry :rollface: